The college thing is over
and I went and got me little self a B.A. in Human Services with a double minor
in Social Work + Spanish. I’ve been known to have curiosity for how our
everyday actions and ever-changing political policies connect to the inequalities,
deficits, suffering, discrimination, and exploitation that rock our globe.
Yet, I had never picked up
the phone to call a Senator or opened my laptop to email a Representative until
now.
Never had I ever contacted
the White House.
Nor had I made tedious
connections between the benefits and ramifications of United States’
intervention in foreign countries.
Sure, I understood this
controversial topic to the extent that which many people who stay informed do;
but it was not until things were taken to a personal and individual level that
I discovered the more accurate truths to our global realities.
It wasn’t until I discovered
that politics is too important to be left
only to politicians that I took my political responsibility seriously.
Let’s go back: I must say,
Loyola induced critical thinking upon all students who professed interest in
the humanities and the sociological aspects of what we call our current social
reality. Critical and analytical thinking became a daily ritual, and I will
forever appreciate learning to balance well-intentioned questioning/curiosity
with ill-intentioned skepticism/suspicion/rejection. There’s a happy medium on
the spectrum there.
But it’s the initial step of
walking ourselves onto that intimidating platform that delivers empowerment.
Then we can create balance.
How?
Ask those questions you’ve
been mulling over. Or write them down. Relieve rumination through speech. Engage
in conversation and discuss your curiosities on specific topics. Ask what, why,
and how. Ask why and how, again. Maybe even a third time. Gather multiple
perspectives. There’s no growth within stifling comfort zones, and there’s no
change when we actively remain stagnant.
It’s those extra little
steps that change the dynamic of this globe from hopelessness to hopefulness.
It is the effort to understand and make connections. It is you taking advantage
of your voice, your rights, and your individual – but highly important – role
in our government and community.
All of this is to say that
there’s really only a certain capacity to which you can grow inside the walls
of the classroom. Despite an animated and passionate professor, or thoughtful
research papers, or engaged learning, or truly mind-blowing information, there
comes a time when personal experience deems more beneficial and constructive
than formal education.
Despite the expanse of
knowledge I procured from university education, I have found newfound growth
since graduation. No profound epiphanies or drastic life changes, but simply a
new way of observing, thinking, and understanding. My mind now moves in
alignment with an interrelated and always connected globe, rather than with a
parceled package of unrelated occurrences.
To be clear, this shift is
not a result of now living in ‘the real world’, because I believe this all to be the real world, every stage
of life. I get what people are trying to elicit from this phrase, but the
expression is simply – and sadly – an embodiment of a societal design that
promises and expects one tidy timeline for all, with boxes to check for every
mile marker accomplished.
Get. It. Done.
…the American
Dream…maybe?...
I call BS.
To me, this phrase is a
front, a scare tactic that seems to suck the joy out of what may lay ahead, out
of who we may grow into as a person, out of our freedom to choose a life of our
own. Societal pressure to be a certain someone and do a certain something is
brutal.
If this is the ‘real world’,
no thanks. I’ll take a life of fulfillment, a life equally as real. And I will
welcome challenge with open arms.
Anyway, I must say that part
of my growth and alignment can be attributed to my current internship. Enter: The
Borgen Project. As a lil intern, I help to to raise funding for this nonprofit,
an organization with the dedicated vision to help eradicate global poverty through
advocacy and mobilizing. (I also do this thing called writing, which is my
actual job there lol).
And, truth be told, I am so
excited to be a part of this movement. This phase is a small step toward pursuing
personal interest and curiosity while simultaneously putting my studies into
action. Alignment.
As an intern here, I am
looking for every way to contribute to this huge undertaking called global
poverty, and I really, truly, and sincerely cannot do this without you! This
spiel was an assortment of thoughts that has finally reached a main point: a
proposal for all you out there in cyberspace to take a peek at The Borgen
Project’s website and at my personal fundraising page in order to explore their
mission just a bit more.
I am currently participating
in a friendly competition with my fellow volunteers to see whose “tribe” can
raise the most money for poverty-reduction efforts. Our tribes are defined as
the important people in our lives, whether a childhood friend, a favorite
relative or a kind-hearted co-worker. Tribes are the people who matter to us
and it goes without saying that I consider you all a very important part of my
own tribe.
On that note, I want my
tribe to blaze trails! And more importantly I want to see how much money I can
raise for poverty-reduction efforts. I am reaching out to you and the rest of
my tribe this week, in the hope that you can help me reach my goal of raising
at least $500 for the world’s poor.
If anything, let this
inspire you to use your voice and to let your freedoms empower you. We have the
power to rewrite stories, or, at the very least, tack on some happy endings.
But, if you do feel in
alignment with any of this, I’d love to join forces. Today, I’m wondering if
you can join me in one or both ways below:
- Donate. It’s quick, simple and a great way for
us to fight this fight together. You can either write a check or donate at
https://borgenproject.org/mary-grace-miller/
- Mobilize. I really want to multiply my impact
and it’s going to take all hands on deck to succeed. Even if you just
reach out to a few people and find one or two individuals to contribute,
that would greatly help!
Anything you can do to
donate or help me mobilize would be so very appreciated.
Not everyone enjoys long
posts, but I rendered it imperative that you know my thoughts behind what this
organization has not only given the world, but me. I want you to know why I
back it…even if it does require a small novel.
Any questions about all
this? Please ask. I would love to chat. You know where to find me! Xx
P.S. Contact your Senators
and Representatives…they’re waiting to hear from you and what issues you stand
behind!
